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What is the Purpose of our Organization

Founded in 2000, South Sound Partners for Philanthropy is a coalition of over 40 nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing philanthropy in the South Sound region. By working together, they raise awareness of local needs and ensure that charitable contributions and volunteer efforts are used effectively to support the community’s health, education, arts, and social services.

Membership is open to any nonprofit organization.  

South Sound Partners provides regular education and training sessions to both members and the community at large so new and innovative ideas are brought to the forefront. In addition, education is provided to donors regarding planned giving and estate planning.

Board Member Testimonials

“Years ago, as a first-time fundraiser, Partners was a huge part of my professional development and networking in our community. I continue to find Partners valuable with opportunities to connect with others going through the same challenges in our profession and mentoring new fundraising professionals. I love Partners and all those involved in the work.” Amber Wetzel

Membership Meeting | June 4 | Hybrid

June Membership Meeting: Planning Events That Actually Work for Nonprofits

Planning events for nonprofits can be equal parts meaningful and messy. Whether you’re coordinating a community gathering or throwing a major fundraiser, there’s a lot to juggle — limited time, tight budgets, and the ever-present risk of last-minute curveballs.

In this session, I’ll share what I’ve learned from 13 years of working with nonprofits on all kinds of events: from backyard barbecues to full-scale, multi-track conferences. We’ll talk through tools, templates, and real-world strategies that can help your next event feel a little less overwhelming and hopefully a lot more manageable.

We’ll cover:

  • How to set clear, realistic goals for your event
  • Building timelines and budgets that actually hold up
  • Tips for promoting your event without burning out your team
  • What to do after the event so it keeps working for you

This won’t be a theory-heavy session. It’ll be practical, flexible, and hopefully a little fun — because in nonprofit work, if you can’t laugh at the chaos, you might cry into the silent auction bid sheets.

Whether you’re planning your first event or just looking to fine-tune your process, I hope you’ll leave with a few ideas you can put to use right away.

 Bio: Timmian Smith
Chief Operating Officer, OrgSupport & EventSupport

Timmian Smith serves as the Chief Operating Officer for OrgSupport and EventSupport, where she supports nonprofits through thoughtful operations and event planning. With over 13 years of experience working with nonprofit organizations, Timmian brings a practical, mission-aligned approach to event strategy and execution.

She has worked on everything from small community gatherings to multi-day, multi-track conferences — but auctions remain her personal favorite. Her event planning perspective is shaped not only by professional experience, but also by real-world multitasking: raising six kids, coaching youth football, and volunteering annually with the Nutcracker.

Timmian understands successful events are as much about flexibility and teamwork as they are about spreadsheets and schedules — and she’s always happy to share what she’s learned along the way.

Register Here

Join us for our new meeting format!

Members have told us that making connections with other nonprofit professionals is one of the best things about Partners. With busy schedules, it can be hard to make time for those casual conversations that help us really connect with each other and nurture us both professionally and personally. 

We’ve added an optional social time before each meeting. Whether you’re looking to expand your professional network or simply enjoy a cup of coffee with like-minded individuals, this is a great time to connect in a relaxed and informal setting. 

  • 8:30 – 9:00am: Coffee and informal networking (in person only)  
  • 9:00 – 10:00am: Membership Meeting. Brief business items followed by featured program
  • 10:00 – 10:15am: Optional member announcements (upcoming events, job announcements, etc.)

Membership Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of each month. If you are not a member and are interested in attending, please email info@celebrategiving.org.

Upcoming Community Events